The community in South River came out to remember Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick five years after his death.

The New Jersey native died of a stroke the day after defending the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Gov. Phil Murphy honored Sicknick for his dedication to the job.

"On Jan. 6, 2021, and so many days before that, Brian did exactly that - for hours, he defended the citadel of American democracy on one of the darkest days in our history. Because of law enforcement officers like Brian, people inside the Capitol that day remained safe,” the governor said.

The governor signed a joint resolution declaring July 30 – Sicknick’s birthday – as Brian Sicknick Day in New Jersey.

Officials say that rioters pepper-sprayed Sicknick during the attack. He died of a stroke the day after. A medical examiner ruled that all that happened on that day played a role in Sicknick’s death.